Software Engineering Classics: Software Project Survival Guide/ Debugging the Development Process/ Dynamics of Software Development (Programming/General) [Paperback]

Steve Maguire (Author), Steve McConnell (Author), Michele McCarthy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Programming/General | Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Three books are reissued for a limited time in a special boxed edition: "Software Project Survival Guide, Software Development", and "Debugging the Development Process". The trio are from the Best Practices series, emphasizing practical, process-oriented techniques and timeless tips.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This three-book set includes Steve Maguire's Debugging the Development Process, Jim McCarthy's Dynamics of Software Development, and Steve McConnell's Software Project Survival Guide. Together, these books convey the field knowledge of three experienced development-team leaders. Anyone planning to participate in a software project, particularly as a manager, should read these books.

Debugging the Development Process shows how Microsoft goes about creating, writing, testing, and improving products. Maguire always keeps one eye on the product's purpose--as well as the purpose of the company--as he offers valuable advice on how to design and build software products that are efficient in terms of time and money. The book is full of design philosophy, including entertaining passages on conflicts between marketing people and developers. (The LAYOFF parable, the highly ominous Excel macro that almost was, is amusing).

Dynamics of Software Development explores the crazy mix of creativity, intelligence, technical skill, and general humanity that makes up a software development team. Such groups require special handling in order for them to yield good products. McCarthy offers a bromide-rich explanation of techniques he's used (again, at Microsoft) to hire bright people, motivate them, stave off burnout, and still get the product out the door on time. His advice is sound and should prove invaluable--even if your development team consists of one person.

Because software development is inherently complex and developers often must attempt to satisfy shifting goals, even successful, well-managed software projects have a death-march aspect to them. Software Project Survival Guide explains what you can do to make building software enjoyable and rewarding, not just survivable. McConnell goes heavy on hints, tips, and checklists of things you can implement now to create a better development team. --David Wall

Product Details

• Paperback: 655 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735605971
• ISBN-13: 978-0735605978
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,380,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mental fodder for Project Managers/Leads, March 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Software Engineering Classics: Software Project Survival Guide/ Debugging the Development Process/ Dynamics of Software Development (Programming/General) (Paperback)

Anyone aspiring to be (or in the current position of) project lead or project manager should get this set. These help you understand, accept, and shape to your advantage many of the "soft", human, non-technical factors in software development.

Also - be sure and get "Code Complete" - it is a comprehensive collection (and interpretation) of many of the great ideas from notable gurus such as Yourdon/DeMarco/Constantine, Kernigan & Richie, Dijkstra, Meyer, etc. etc. (plz excuse the spelling errors!) Every programmer needs a copy of "Code Complete" and the companion, "Writing Solid Code". Software Standards and QA groups should use these texts as references and standards.

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three EXCELLENT software development books... all are a MUST, February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Software Engineering Classics: Software Project Survival Guide/ Debugging the Development Process/ Dynamics of Software Development (Programming/General) (Paperback)

I have read all three of Steve's books, and they ALL are worth ten times their price!

If you are SERIOUS about making software a career, buy this set!